Ex-Bogota Mayor Penalosa regains job, wresting control of Colombia's capital from left

Enrique Penalosa kisses his wife Liliana Sanchez as he celebrates being proclaimed the new mayor of Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. Penalosa was declared the winner by the electoral authorities with 99% of the vote counted. He took the lead ahead of his closest contender the former defense minister Rafael Pardo. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
(The Associated Press)

Enrique Penalosa, right, is embraced by a supporter after being proclaimed the new mayor of Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. Penalosa was declared the winner by the electoral authorities with 99% of the vote counted. He took the lead ahead of his closest contender the former defense minister Rafael Pardo. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
(The Associated Press)

Supporters of Enrique Penalosa, who's running for mayor of Bogota as an independent candidate, celebrate the first results of regional and local elections in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. Colombians went to the polls to choose mayors, governors, city council and state legislators. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
(The Associated Press)

BOGOTA, Colombia – Independent candidate Enrique Penalosa has been declared the winner in Bogota's mayoral race delivering a stunning defeat to Colombia's left that has governed the capital for the last 12 years.

Penalosa is remembered fondly by Bogota's 8 million residents for implementing a mass transit system when previously served as mayor from 1998 to Jan. 1, 2001. He regained his job on the promise to restore order to the city amid growing complaints about crime and gridlock traffic.

Colombians also were electing Sunday mayors and governors across the country.